Casting rod



E L O C Q L CASTING ROD Filed Deo. 20. 1938 in? la Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to iishing rods and particularly to an improved form of casting rod adapted to be completely balanced when assembled with its reel and which may have its stick retracted for convenientA carrying.

An object of the invention is to provide a recessed and laterally oset reel seat enabling a reel to be mounted thereon in a position having its centre of gravity in alinement with the axis of the handle and stick.

Another object of importance is to provide improved attaching means for the stick inits forward or operative position and in its retracted or carrying position so that the stick may be quickly moved from carrying to advanced position and vice versa and be secured to the handle portion in either position.

And inally it is an object of the invention to provide improved constructions for attaching a reel to the handle portion of the rod and to provide an improved mounting on the stick for a threaded member forming a portion of the attaching means therefor and by means of which the stick may be securely fastened to the handle in its advanced and retracted positions.

'I'his application constitutes an improvement upon the construction described and shown in my copending application SerialNo. 168,165, filed October 9, 193'?.l

With the above and other objects in view, the invention includes the features of construction and operation set forth in the following specilication and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

n "'-f'and a portion of the carrying case being also showin-parts Vbeing shown in section to more clearly disclose their construction;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the rod shown in Fig. 1, the casing beingomitted and the butt end of the handle portion being shown in section to indicate the position of the stick in its retracted position; 65 Fig. 3 is an end view of the handle portion;

In the accompanying drawing annexed hereto Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the handle portion taken on the plane of line 4-4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the handle portion taken on the plane of line 5-5 in 5 Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view of the handle at an intermediate portion to show the spool mounting, the view being taken on the plane of line 6--6 in Fig. 1; 10

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the handle at its forward end taken on the plane of line 1-1 in Fig. 2;

' Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the handle and carrying case taken on the plane of line 8-8 in Fig, 1; l

Fig. 9 is a transverse view of the butt end of the handle taken on the plane of line 9--9 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the spool forming part of the stick attaching means, the view being taken on the plane of line ill-I0 in Fig. 6.

In the above mentioned drawing there has been shown but one r embodiment of .the invention which is now deemed preferable, but it is to be understood that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the' invention.

Briefly, and in its preferred aspect, the invention may include the following principal parts: first, a handle having a longitudinal opening extending to the butt end thereof; second, a stick attachable to the handle portion in 'an extended and in a retracted position; third, a reel seat on. the handle portion extending below the axis of the handle and laterally offset therefrom; fourth, attaching means in the form of a screw mounted on the stick for securing the stick in its advanced and retracted positions, and fifth, attaching means for a carrying case engaging` the forward portion of the handle.

Referring more in detail to the iigures ofthe drawing there is shown at I0 a handle portion of a casting rod having anv oblique and downwardly inclined intermediate portion Il forming a reel seat. The handle l0 may be formedprincipally of a single casting presently to be more fully described. The rear and forward ends of the handle portion are in alinement with each other and the casting forming the principal .member of the handle has an opening extending completely and axially through it. Within this opening extends a major portion of the stick I2 when in its retracted position.

As may be best seen in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing the intermediate portion of the handle I0 is offset laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle. Within this o'set portion a reel I3 may be detachably mounted in any usual or standard manner, its saddle I4 being held against an inclined downward extending surface of member II by means of a clamping member I5 preferably of non-circular crosssection, movable into and out of clamping position by a screw I6 havirfg a knurled head. At its rear end the reel saddle I4 enters a small recess formed within the member II. Drive screw |6a prevents sleeve I5 from moving oil the threads of I6 when this reel I3 is removed. The body and weight of the reel I3 is brought down a material distance so that its weight and centre of gravity is substantially alined with the axis of the handle I0 in a vertical plane by its being mounted upon the downwardly inclined surface of the intermediate portion II. By reason of the lateral offset of this intermediate portion I| the centre of gravity of the reel I3 is disposed substantially in alinement with the axis of the handle. In this manner the weight of the reel I3 is completely balanced relative to the rod both vertically and laterally so that in casting the weight of the reel will not cause twisting of the rod. Grip piece 33 can be held loosely in the hand during the casting action. 'I'he complete handle with the reel I3 mounted in position thereon has the weight distributed symmetrically so that the rod acts in casting as a uniformly weighted lever without any twisting movement.

'Ihe intermediate portion of the handle in the rear of the oblique portion I may be formed into a loop 34 within which the fore finger of one using the rod may rest during casting. This loop 34 adds rigidity to the frame of I0, but any downward projection to prevent the hand from slipping back will be satisfactory.

The stick I2 is preferably and as shown of hexagonal cross section and has mounted thereon the usual guiding eyes for a line fromfthe reel I3. 'I'he butt end of the stick I2 has secured thereon a metal sleeve 22 the forwardportion of which is tapered and ofhexagonal or noncircular cross section. Housed within the rearward portion of the metal sleeve 22 is a nut 2| within which screw I1 may be threaded. As shown the stick I2 at its rear end is recessed forming an opening into which the screw I 1 may extend. To prevent the screw I1 separating from its nut 2| at any time va headed drive screw I1a may be mounted on the end of the threaded end, the head having the full diameter of the threads. The nut 2| may first be threaded on the screw I 1 and the small screw Ila driven in place. With the nut 2I on the screw I1 the nut 2| is fastened to the sleeve 22 by several radially disposed drive screws or other suitable fastening means I3a permanently securing it thereto.

The screw I1 has spaced heads thereon one of which I3, when the stick I2 is in its advanced or operative position, bears against an angularly adjustable spool 23. Spool 23 is housed within the .casting I0 of the handle and is rotated as indicated in Fig. 10 from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 10 to the position indicated by dotted lines.

In the position shown in Fig. 1 the head I3 on screw I1 bears against the sides of the central recessed part of the spool 23, a U shaped opening being cut away to permit 23 to be angularly engaged over I3a. Screw I1 is positioned in 2| so that the space between I3 and I3 permits the easy engagement of 23 over IIIa. By turning the screw I1 by means of its head I3 member I3 is pressed against 23. the reaction of this force causes the stick I2 and its sleeve 22 to be secured in fixed position in the hexagonal opening or bearing within the casting I0. l To retract the stick I2 to its carrying posivtion the screw I1 is turned in the opposite direc- `tion until I3 engages 23. the reaction loosens 22 in I0 which in turn loosens lthe member 23 to permit member or spool 23 to be turned about on its circular bearings withdrawing the U shaped opening from Ila shown in Fig. 6. For this purpose projections are formed on the outer walls enabling the member 23 to be rotated through approximately 'I'he central portion of the member 23 is then above the axis of the stick I2 and permits the stick to be retracted with the screw I1 still mounted thereon. When retracting the stick I2 to its carrying position the reel |3 must first be removed from its seat II. Opening in 24 and opening in spring 20 are in alignment, therefore I3 must be positioned horizontal before retracting. In retracted position the head I3 of the screw I1 which is flattened on opposite sides passes through coiled spring 23 secured at one end within the butt piece 24 the forward end of which is flattened as shown in Fig. 5 for that purpose. Head I3 which is circular then bears against the inner end of spring 20. By gripping the handle I0 in one hand and rod I 2 in the other hand, a rear thrust of the rod will permit I3 to pass through the slot in 24 after which I3 is turned 90 to lockthe rod I2 from going forward. The friction of I3 against 24 caused by spring pressure prevents I3 from turning and dropping through they slot. This resiliently retains the stick in its carrying position.

The butt piece 24 pinned to the end of the handle by pin 32 has a slottherein so that head I8 may pass through this member enabling the screw I1 to be turned. A grip member 33 of rubber or composition is mounted on the'rear end of casting I0 and is maintained in-place by the butt piece 24. All parts therefore of the handle and the stick are prevented from becoming separated.

At the forward end of the handle I 3 there is mounted a conical member 23 secured in position by a tapered pin 23 shown in Fig. 7 to the extreme front end of the casting III. Fitttlng over this member is the collar 21 of the casing 23 in the form of a long metal tube closed at its outer or forward end and enclosing the stick I2 when in retracted position. A flexible bag 23 a part only of which is shown is secured to the collar 21 as by means of rivets and a circular metal band shown in Fig. l. This bag is sui'- flcient ln size to enclose the entire handle I3 and may have an opening extending lengthwisev To secure the carrying case to the handle thev collar 21 is provided with clamping members 3l which may be drawn togetherto frictionally and tightly engage the member 23 by meansof a left and right screw 3| extending through the 'members 30. Screw 35 prevents 30 from falling out of the collar 21 when the cover is removed from the rod. Counterbore 33 permits unscrewing screw 3l far enough to loosen the member 21 from the tapered portion 25. Movement of the screw 3 I, however, is limited by this counterbore 36 so that members 30 are prevented from becoming separated from the screw 3|.

The handle I0 shown in the drawing comV prises a main member of cast metal extending substantially the entire length of the handle. The butt piece 24 recessed as shown and within which the spring 20 is mounted may be pinned to the casting I0 by means of a tapered pin 32. This member 24 retains in position the grip member 33 in the form of a sleeve fitting a cylindrical portionI of the handle casting l0. Below and in the rear of the reel seat ll is a finger loop 34 preferably formed integrally with the handle.

I claim as my invention:

1. A casting rod comprising in combination, a handle, an intermediate portion thereof laterally disposed relative to the longitudinal axis of said handle and having obilque surfaces thereon, and reel seating and clamping means on said intermediate oblique portion.

2. A casting rod comprising in combination, a handle, a laterally offset and oblique downward extending intermediate portion, and reel mounting and clamping means on said intermediate portion, whereby a reel mounted on said handle will have its center of gravity in alinement with the longitudinal axis of said handle.

3. A casting rod comprising in combination, a handle, a laterally onset and oblique downward extending intermediate portion, and reel mounting and clamping means on said intermediate portion, an opening extending longitudinally through said handle, a stick mounted in said handle, and means to secure said stick alternatively at spaced positions therein.

4. A casting rod comprising in combination, a handle portion, a stick, a sleeve on the rear end of said stick having a non-circular tapered portion, a bearing within said handle portion tting said tapered sleeve, means to retain said sleeve in said bearing, and means to retain said stick in a retracted position within said handle.

5. A casting rod comprising in combination, a handle portion, a stick. a sleeve on the rear en d of said stick having a. non-=circular tapered portion, a bearing within said handle portion ntting said tapered sleeve, a nut secured within said sleeve, and a screw bearing against a portion of said handle and engaging said nut, whereby said sleeve may be retained within its bearing.

6. A casting rod comprising in combination, a handle portion, a stick, a sleeve on the rear end of said stick having a non-circular tapered portion, a bearing within said handle portion tting said tapered sleeve, a screw engaging a nut within said stick, and an angularly adjustable member housed within said handle portion, whereby in one position of said angularly adjustable member said sleeve may be retained within its bearing and in another position of said angularly adjustable member said stick may be retracted to a position partially within said handle portion.

7. A casting rod comprising in combination, a handle portion, a stick, a sleeve on the rear end of said stick having a non-circular tapered por tion, a bearing within said handle portion tting said tapered sleeve, a screw engaging a nut within said stick, an angularly adjustable 'member housed within said handle portion, whereby in one position of said angularly adjustable member said sleeve may be retained Within its bearing and in another position of said angularly adjustable member said stick may be retracted to a position partially within said handle portion, said screw being used to retain said stick in its advanced and in its retracted position.

8. A casting rod comprising in combination, a handle portion, a stick, a sleeve on the rear end of said stick having a non-circular tapered portion, a bearing within said handle portion at its forward end fitting said tapered sleeve, a screw rotatably but non-removably mounted on said stick, a nut within said sleeve adapted to engage therewith, and an angularly adjustable member housed within said handle portion, whereby in one position of said angularly adjustable member said sleeve may be retained within its bearing by said screw, and in another position of said angularly adjustable member said stick may be retracted to a position partially within said handle portion and retained therein by said screw.

LYNDON C. COLE. 

